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Arsenal and Liverpool are battling to sign James Milner from Manchester City after the England international informed the Premier League champions that he would like a transfer. The Guardianreport that the Gunners are leading the race for his signature at the moment.

Milner’s decision could creates a serious problem for the Manchester club as they are already struggling to meet the requirements set by the Premier League and Uefa about ‘the homegrown player rule’. With Joleon Lescott and Gareth Barry (who spent last season on loan at Everton), possibly leaving the club this summer, City cannot afford to lose another English star.Without Milner, Joe Hart would be the sole Englishman who would be in the first team, as it stands.

The 28-year-old, part of England’s World Cup squad, has a year remaining on his contract at City and has reportedly told them he would rather run down his contract and leave for free if they do not allow him to move this summer. Milner is set to be offered a new four-year deal at City but the 28-year-old is said to prefer the idea of walking out on a free transfer in a year’s time rather than extending his stay at the Etihad Stadium.

The Yorkshire-born star wants a regular first team place which has put Everton, Arsenal, Spurs, Liverpool and his former club Newcastle on alert.

Milner’s issue with the Premier League champions is his lack of game-time. The England star has only played a peripheral role in City’s title winning campaign having started only 12 times in the league this season.

Arsenal are apparently weighing up a £10m offer and Arsène Wenger will try to make his plea stronger by offering to restore Milner to the central role. Another reason for Milner’s dissatisfaction has been him being employed as a wide man by Manuel Pellegrini and Roberto Mancini, even after being assured of the central role when he was bought from Aston Villa. Wenger has identified the City man as the right choice to provide competition for Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini.

Brendan Rodgers is another admirer of the ex-Newcastle man and wants to add depth to the squad for next season to make their title challenge and compete in the Champions League. Milner would be the right combination of quality and experience and would add the requisite depth to the Liverpool squad.

Milner could add a lot to whichever team that he finally goes to. The England international has enough versatility and experience to attract a lot of clubs, which he is at the moment. Arsenal suffered in their title challenge because of the amount of injuries the players suffered from. Liverpool too, had an incredibly thin squad and both the clubs are looking to add to them to make a serious and genuine title surge next season.